Last Post from China

We head to Hong Kong in about 2 hours.  I believe it's about a 4 hour drive with traffic, so we will be getting to our hotel late.

I don't think I'll have time to blog tonight or tomorrow morning before we leave (but you never know)....

We are still awaiting Charlie's Visa- our guide should be picking it up shortly- let's hope all goes ok.  There was a snafu with yesterday's group and they almost didn't get them (but finally did- thank goodness, as some had flights out today).

The time here did not go by in a blink.  It was a long, hard 2 weeks.  I'm so glad to be on the ending side & not on the beginning.

Only, I guess...it is a new beginning for Charlie Meifang.   A beginning with a family.   And not cold gray institution walls.

Although it didn't seem like it, there have been strides in these last two weeks she's been with us.  She maybe, just a bit, learned to trust us (enough to put her in a cart, a stroller & walk a bit).  I got one or two mama's.  She's let me help her wash herself.  She smiles, dances & laughes.   She learned a few signs & understands a bit of English.  (a tiny bit).  

She has a lot of healing to do.  And I pray for the strength to help her with that.

We both need to learn to take it one hour at a time.   Her life & ours will play out how it's supposed to. 

Today, I dressed her in traditional silk and took her down to the gardens to try to take a  few pictures- of her last few hours in her China.

She didn't really want any part of it.  (Grass!  Ahhh!!!)

But I got a few.

Someday, maybe she'll want to come back to the country of her birth.   If she does, I'll support her and come back with her.  It may be a hard journey for both of us.   Or maybe it won't.  I guess only time will tell.

My wish for her is to find happiness and love in our arms. 

That even though the adjustment will be tough for all of us, that we make it through stronger.  That our family only grows in strength with Charlie Meifang in it.

That she knows the love of a mommy, a daddy, big sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins....

That she is not just 'another number' but a person who is loved.  And deserves love. 

Because she does.  Just like every child out there.

She is ours.  Our daughter.  Our Charlie Meifang.

Maybe our next milestone will not to be afraid of the grass?!

While we are starting our journey home, please pray for some bit of sanity on our 15 hour flight home.  

I can say that while it will get me home, I am not looking forward to it.  I just have to remember that each second will bring us closer to home. 

Because, as Dorothy says...

"There is no place like home"

See you on US soil.  Thursday 12:40pm (if (PLEASE, PLEASE) no delays)

Over and out.  From China.